Highland Park 15yrs and 18yrs Tasting Notes?

Hi! I am new to the forum and certainly not a connosieur of scotch, but i do love the stuff. I was wondering if anyone could describe the taste of Highland Park 15yr and also the 18yr? I dont like a peaty flavour. I am a big fan of Johnnie Walker Gold (yes, i know it is a blend, but i dont care, it is the taste that i enjoy, not the manner of distilling). In a word, I like a silky, honeyed flavour profile.

Re: Highland Park 15yrs and 18yrs Tasting Notes?

Thanks Irishwhiskeychaser for the recommendation. Actually, I am already familiar with Dalwhinnie and I am a big fan of it. If HP 18 is similar to Dalwhinnie and JW Gold in terms of smoothness, honey and balance then i think i will be very happy.

I have picked up a bottle of HP 18 for $81 here in Canada. It's not cheap, but if its good, i have no problem with the price. I intend to have a taste this weekend.

Re: Highland Park 15yrs and 18yrs Tasting Notes?

Novice Scotch Fan wrote:Thanks Irishwhiskeychaser for the recommendation. Actually, I am already familiar with Dalwhinnie and I am a big fan of it. If HP 18 is similar to Dalwhinnie and JW Gold in terms of smoothness, honey and balance then i think i will be very happy.

I have picked up a bottle of HP 18 for $81 here in Canada. It's not cheap, but if its good, i have no problem with the price. I intend to have a taste this weekend.

Again, thanks for your input!

Cheers

I can't speak for the JW Gold, but in comparison to the Dalwhinnie the HP 18 is, to my mind, both much richer and smokier. Although in the HP the smoke lurks in the background (much more so than in the 12, in my opinion), while rich honey and heathery sweetness dominate on the nose. The mouthfeel doesn't betray the nose, and the richness of both honey and heather devlop with a sophisticated peat prodding them from behind. The finish is long and really full, and I often get a sort of creamy oakiness (or an oaky creaminess!) right at the end.

From what I can remember, not having had any Dalwhinnie for a couple months, I found a certain cereal note on the nose coupled with faint but fresh berries (raspberries perhaps?)--the HP 18 lacks these flavors. Also, there was honey on the palate but not nearly as smokey or rich as in the HP. And maybe I'm crazy, but I often noticed an almost minty coolness on the finish that seemed also to bring cereal and oats back into the mix.

These are just some impromptu tasting recollections/comparisons--perhaps others can share theirs! They're both good whiskies. The HP 18 has a nice rich body, while I think the Dalwhinnie has a freshness that actually makes it a really nice drink during the dog days of summer!

Re: Highland Park 15yrs and 18yrs Tasting Notes?

It has a richer fuller taste and feel in comparison to JW Gold and Dalwhinnie that's why I suggested the Dal15 but NSF is way ahead of he Hopefully you will enjoy the HP and embark on the next phase of Whisk(e)y appreciation

Re: Highland Park 15yrs and 18yrs Tasting Notes?

Thanks Gilles and IrishWhiskeyChaser for your advice. I opened the HP 18 tonight and I am impressed! I usually drink the Johnnie Walker Gold with two ice cubes because the ice opens up flavours that when drank neat are missed. So, when I turned to the HP 18 tonight, I first tried it neat, and to my surprise it was very very very nice! To my mind it did not need ice. Nevertheless, I had a second drink with ice (two cubes) and I found the ice diminished the flavour, and did not bring forth anything else. So, guess what? I like it neat. This is a surprise to me. Maybe the lesser quality scotches (ie. JW Black and Gold) need the ice to make them more palatable? I dunno. I still enjoy the JW Gold, but HP 18, I think is wasted when water or ice are added, but that is just my humble, non-connosieur opinion.

One other surprising observation of mine is that the nose of the HP 18 is very subtle, which leads into a subtle and very refined flavour profile. Tonight I have the JW Gold as a comparison and it has a much more robust nose of spice.

Anyway, again thank you gentlemen, and if any of you find yourself in New Brunswick, Canada, drop me a line and i will invite you over for a wee bit of scotch tasting!

Re: Highland Park 15yrs and 18yrs Tasting Notes?

Novice Scotch Fan wrote:Thanks Gilles and IrishWhiskeyChaser for your advice. I opened the HP 18 tonight and I am impressed! I usually drink the Johnnie Walker Gold with two ice cubes because the ice opens up flavours that when drank neat are missed. So, when I turned to the HP 18 tonight, I first tried it neat, and to my surprise it was very very very nice! To my mind it did not need ice. Nevertheless, I had a second drink with ice (two cubes) and I found the ice diminished the flavour, and did not bring forth anything else. So, guess what? I like it neat. This is a surprise to me. Maybe the lesser quality scotches (ie. JW Black and Gold) need the ice to make them more palatable? I dunno. I still enjoy the JW Gold, but HP 18, I think is wasted when water or ice are added, but that is just my humble, non-connosieur opinion.

One other surprising observation of mine is that the nose of the HP 18 is very subtle, which leads into a subtle and very refined flavour profile. Tonight I have the JW Gold as a comparison and it has a much more robust nose of spice.

Anyway, again thank you gentlemen, and if any of you find yourself in New Brunswick, Canada, drop me a line and i will invite you over for a wee bit of scotch tasting!

Now try the JW gold without ice. Then try it again with ice right afterwards. I would be suprised if the ice didn't mute the flavors just as it did in the HP 18.

Re: Highland Park 15yrs and 18yrs Tasting Notes?

Well, I have tried it with a little water and I do mean a little, like a teaspoon. It does improve it. In the past, i have always drank scotch with ice, so instinctually i have preferred ice, the chill of the scotch before it starts to melt too much is great.